TAMPA, Fla., (Aug. 5, 2014) – A Tampa Bay area man is planning to propose marriage to his girlfriend in Tampa on Tuesday with the help of the media and a good old-fashioned press release.

James Judge, a 30-year-old Clearwater, Fla., native is planning to ask Danielle Akenson, a 28-year-old former resident of Minneapolis, to spend the rest of their lives together.

“After a lot of thought about the perfect way to propose, I figured I would do what I do best, which is working with the media to get the word out,” said Judge.

Judge is the owner of Judge Public Relations, a Tampa-based PR firm, and is also the media relations manager for BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Tampa. He met Akenson in 2012 when she was handling marketing and veterinary outreach for BluePearl in Minnesota.

“It started with a work conversation and it just clicked. After a year of doing the long distance thing between TPA and MSP, and learning how to earn the most Delta SkyMiles, I was finally able to talk her into moving to Florida,” Judge said. “Now, I’m just hoping and praying that she’ll agree to the next very important question.”

Judge is a graduate of Eckerd College and a Coast Guard veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Between the two of them, they have a Great Dane named Cutter, a Boxer named Rowdi, a Brussels Griffon named Kowe, a kitten named Buzz and a fish named Marlin.

“As with most good news stories, there needs to be an element of suspense and a good tease, so, without further ado, Danielle Kay Akenson, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever met, both inside and out. I love you so much and it would be an honor to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?” Judge said.

This story is developing and more details will be released as they happen.